The RentCover Report

INDUSTRY NEWS & VIEWS FROM EBM

Ho, ho… oh no

Many tenants will be heading off on holidays over the coming weeks so it’s useful to pass on these tips to help keep the property secure.

That noise your tenants hear outside may not be Santa and his reindeer…but a criminal looking to relieve them of their spoils, as the festive season is prime time for home burglaries. With the heat of summer inviting tenants to leave windows and doors open, coupled with the likelihood that presents beckon – temptation and opportunity can create rich pickings for thieves.

Remember, most theft is opportunistic and the criminals look for easy targets. These tips may help reduce your tenant’s risk of becoming a victim of crime and also leaving your property susceptible to theft and damage (they don’t call it ‘break and enter’ for nothing).

always inform the landlord/PM that you are going away and provide contact details; also let them know if you plan on having a friend/family member stay at the property while you are away (be mindful of your obligations when it comes to possession and security of the keys)

stop deliveries (papers, post)

set timers for lights and audible appliances (radio/TV) but don’t leave them on all the time as it’s a sure-fire hint to a burglar that no-one is home; turn the volume on your home phone down so it can’t be heard from outside; forward calls to your mobile

lock up really well and don’t forget to turn on the alarm (get the landlord/PM to notify the security company you’re going away)

never leave spare keys ‘hidden’ outside

don’t announce holiday plans/updates on social media

No-one wants to spend time filing police reports and insurance claims and arranging emergency repairs when they could be having another fruit mince pie or sipping a cocktail by the pool. Passing on these tips to tenants could help reduce the chance of having to deal with a theft at the investment property and you can enjoy a merry little Christmas instead.

EBM will provide You with a Financial Services Guide (‘FSG’) to help You decide whether You wish to use the services they offer. Any advice about insurance described in this website is provided for your general information and does not take into account your individual needs. You should always consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see if the product is right for you. A copy of the PDS is available here or you can contact us for a copy.